Tullibardine’s story
Tullibardine is a Highland distillery that was built in the post-war years following World War II. It celebrated its 75-year anniversary in 2024 with several special events and bottlings. The distillery is located near Blackford in Perthshire and takes its name from the local medieval Tullibardine chapel in a nearby village. Tullibardine translates as ‘lookout hill’ from Gaelic. This refers to a large hill that was used by ancient people to spot approaching enemies and tradespeople.
Tullibardine is known for its light, floral and fruity style of single malt whisky. It has been largely used in several different blends, especially in its early years. Later, it was an ingredient in Whyte & Mackay, specifically after they purchased the distillery. Now production is split between the Tullibardine single malt range and use in the Highland Queen blended Scotch whisky range.
Tullibardine’s history
Tullibardine was founded in 1949 by renowned distillery architect William Delmé-Evans. He converted a former brewery, which he had purchased in 1947, to become a single malt distillery. A brewery is said to have operated on the site since 1488, a date that is referred to by the brand. After selling Tullibardine in 1953, Delmé-Evans went on to design and build Glenallachie distillery in Speyside, Macduff distillery in the Highlands and revive Jura, both in the 1960s.
Brodie Hepburn, who took over from Delmé-Evans, were themselves bought out in 1971 by Invergordon Distillers. This became part of Whyte & Mackay in 1993. However, they abruptly mothballed the distillery in 1994 – mothballing is the process where a distillery ceases production but remains ready to go when needed.
A consortium purchased Tullibardine in 2003 and restarted production. They also released the first single malts from the distillery a couple of years later. All spirit had been previously used for blending. In 2011, the French company Picard Vins & Spiriteaux took control of the distillery. They remain the owners today and operate it under the name of Terroir Distillers.
Tullibardine is now also largely associated with the Highland Queen blended Scotch whisky brand. It was purchased by the current ownership three years before it purchased Tullibardine. The distillery has an award-winning range of bespoke single malts, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013. They are also known for their use of finishing in often unorthodox cask types such as Sauternes and various red wines.
- How to pronounce Tullibardine? tully-bar-din
- Country: Scotland
- Region: Highlands
- Founded: 1949
- Current owners: Picard Vins & Spiritueux S.A.
- Production capacity per year: 3 million litres
- Mash tun: 6.2 ton
- Washbacks: 10
- Stills: 4
- Visitor centre: Yes
Tullibardine Distillery
Stirling Street
Blackford, Auchterarder
Perthshire
PH4 1QG
tel – +44(0)1764 661809
www.tullibardine.com
Did you know?
Tullibardine is one of just three distilleries founded in Scotland during the first half of the 20th century – Malt Mill (1908) and Inverleven (1938) being the other two.